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How to Care for Broad Beans?

Broad beans do need some support because of their
height. The easiest method of support is to insert four canes at the
corners of the growing area and run wire mesh along the four sides
of the area. This will be more than enough to support the beans in
windy weather. The other method is to insert canes every around the
growing area and run two levels of string around the canes.

Broad beans will not withstand drought so if conditions become dry
they will need watering. Weeding frequently will keep water loss to a
minimum as will applying a mulch of well rotted compost.

When the
plants reach about 1m (3ft) pinch out the tops of the stems. Broad beans
are very prone to attack by aphids which feed on the growing tips.
Removing these should lessen the severity of any infestation.

As the plants are growing pinch out any side shoots which appear near
the base of the plant.

HARVEST BROAD BEANS
Broad beans are best harvested when young and tender. When the pods
start to swell, sample one to see if it's ready for harvest. Simply
twist and pull off the pods.

When the plants have finished cropping cut them off at ground level
and put the plants on the compost heap. The roots are a good source of
nitrogen so leave them in the soil to rot away.

Name: kate jones E-mail: lisforge@tiscali.co.uk Date posted: July 22, 2011 - 10:19 am Message: can you keep the plants in the ground after removing old stalks and beans as there are healthy new shoots coming at the bottom of the plants and some of them are starting to flower.